Mallory body formation and amyloid deposition in the liver of aged mice fed a vitamin A deficient diet for a prolonged period

When twenty Swiss albino mice (male) were fed a vitamin A deficient diet for 18-24 months, Mallory bodies (MB(s] were observed. MBs were found by light microscopy and electron microscopy in the hepatocytes of six mice fed the vitamin A deficient diet and in one of the 15 control mice. Coincidentally, amyloid deposits were found in the space of Disse in the livers of 8 mice fed the deficient diet (three of the six mice with MBs). Amyloid was seen in two control mice suggesting that vitamin A enhanced amyloid deposition and MB formation in aging mice which spontaneously form amyloid and MBs. The possible role of vitamin A deficiency in the pathogenesis of MB formation is briefly discussed.